CLACKAMAS, Ore. – The sheriff believes the new MAX Green Line has been the root of big surge in crime around the Clackamas Town Center.
The Green Line extends from Portland to the Town Center and it opened last September. Since that time, crimes have increased by about 50 percent, according to newly released statistics.
TriMet officials said there was no way to prove that the boost in crime was associated with the public transportation.
“Let me ask you this then. Why is crime down in every other portion of the county yet it's increased in this particular microcosm right there at the Town Center?" countered detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
The newly released statistics show that most of the increased crimes involved thefts and drug use.
The sheriff said the goal will be to increase patrols in the area, which will hopefully turn around the crime trend.
